Dark Witch by Nora Roberts

WITCH
Dark Witch by Nora Roberts
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (342 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends.

Ireland.

County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits.

Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives.

When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horseman, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package.

Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive…

It’s the opportunity of a lifetime and Iona Sheehan has made it happen. All she has ever wanted to do is go to Ireland and find her roots… and learn more about the witch that she is. What she isn’t prepared for, however, is the dark force lying in wait for the return of the three. Can she and her two newfound cousins defeat this ancient evil and bring peace to their family?

Iona Sheehan is quite a character. Exuberant, young, and eager, she makes me laugh out loud throughout the book. Her love of horses and family is very endearing and sweet. I loved the way she embraced her heritage – lurking evil force or not – and dove in head first in order to be ready in time to face off with Cabhan with her cousins.

Boyle McGrath is the embodiment of all I’ve ever expected an Irishman to be. He’s surly, he’s stubborn, and he’s one hundred and ten percent lovable. His gruff reluctance to give in to his emotions is adorable and amusing because we know that Iona will find a way to worm her way into his heart, right? Once she does, they become the closest thing to a perfect couple. They don’t always agree or get along, but they find a way to stick it out in the end.

In addition to the main couple, you are treated to an entertaining cast of characters. Branna and Conner, Iona’s cousins, are like night and day, and yet so much alike sometimes that it’s scary. Maera and Fin, co-workers of Iona’s and friends of the cousins, only add humor, friendship, and love to the mix. I’d love to sit in on a night with this group, whether in Branna’s home or at the local pub, either way you know you’d be in for a night you wouldn’t forget.

Set in picturesque Ireland, a place I’ve dreamed of visiting, the story takes off from the very first page, whisking you off on adventure and into a romance you can’t help but root for. With its rich storytelling, loveable characters, and intense plot, I had a hard time putting this one down. For my first Nora Roberts novel, it was a giant win.

The Out of Towner by Lilith Duvalier

TWONER
The Out of Towner by Lilith Duvalier
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (48 pgs)
Other: M/M/M, M/M, Ménage, Anal Play
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Carlos and Thomas need one night when they don’t talk about planning their wedding.

Carlos’ family keeps butting in, big chunks of Thomas’ family refuse to be involved, and the stress of planning this huge celebration for this many people—many of whom don’t speak the same language—is too much.

Carlos declares that they are going to spend one night together without wedding planning. To sweeten the pot, they play a little game by pretending to meet for the first time at an expensive restaurant downtown.

But at the restaurant, Thomas runs into Jimmy Colton, an old college crush who is in town for business. By the time Carlos arrives the game has changed, and the three of them are heading back to Jimmy’s hotel room to fulfill a long held fantasy.

Planning a wedding isn’t easy, just ask Carlos and Thomas. Between finding the right venue, getting the tuxes, and making both families happy, the stress is taking its toll on them both. When Carlos suggests they take a night off from wedding planning, Thomas eagerly agrees. After all, what can possibly happen when you’ve been together as long as they have?

Carlos and Thomas have been together for a long time and they are both obviously in love and completely devoted to one another. Their relationship is believable and realistic, even in today’s world. I loved that Carlos was so done with everything that he suggested a bit of role play for the two of them. It shows that he’s not just dedicated to his husband-to-be, but invested in the relationship and willing to try something new to keep it fresh and alive.

When the appearance of an old schoolmate throws a wrench into the works, they adapt. Although Carlos is more on board with inviting Jimmy into their evening, Thomas isn’t completely against it, either. That Carlos takes the time to find out exactly what Thomas wants, even if it means putting this fantasy off until another time, really made me like him even more than I already did.

The best thing about this short story is that it doesn’t focus on the sexual aspect as much as it does the relationship between the three men. Jimmy really opens up and tells the other two something very personal and hurtful, bringing them all closer emotionally than they could ever be physically. This is the kind of thing that I need in my stories, no matter what the genre. Sweet, sexy, and satisfying on so many levels, The Out of Towner is an enjoyable read that left me smiling. The very last scene in the book made me hopeful that there might someday be more to this story. If not? Well, then the reader can at least be happy with what could be.

Passionate Companions by Cat Blaine

PASSIONATE
Passionate Companions by Cat Blaine
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (34 pgs)
Other: M/M, Anal Play
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Sully Handover’s a pure-blooded vampire reluctantly groomed to be a courtesan to humans. He’s spent a lifetime believing humans are lesser beings, but when he’s chosen by the gorgeous and kind Master Adrian, he might have to rethink that theory. Especially since he can’t stop secretly lusting after his new master.

Imagine a world where vampires and humans have the oddest sort of agreement: the humans provide women for breeding and the vampires provide purebloods for pleasure. Enter Sully Handover, a pureblood vampire who has spent his time being trained as a courtesan. Angry and unwilling to become a slave to a lesser race, he isn’t exactly thrilled when he’s sent to auction earlier than planned. Will he be able to make peace with his new master or will it all end in disaster?

Sully put me off a bit at first. Understandably, he was arrogant and unhappy about having to serve humans when he’d much rather become the lover of fellow vampire, Luke. His outrageous behavior at the auction house and during the actual auction made me laugh out loud. Daring and mouthy, he’s more than a handful for any master. However, when he comes to realize that his new owner – Adrian – isn’t anything like he had expected, he mellows out a bit and becomes more likable.

Adrian I liked from the very beginning. Taking a risk on the mouthy, aggressive vampire took a lot of trust and maybe even touch of stupidity, but it certainly paid off for him. He comes off as honest and trustworthy from the start, exactly the kind of man Sully needs to guide him through this new world he’s in. He’s probably my favorite character in this short story, making me want to know more about him in the end.

Passionate Companions was a good read with an intriguing plot and engaging characters. I was impressed by the fact the author didn’t jump directly into the sexual intimacy and instead gave Sully and Adrian a chance to get to know each other a bit first. However, I do wish that we’d been given more backstory in regards to how the society they live in came to be the way it was. The situation they’re in is fascinating and I’d love to know more about how they’d gotten to where they were. Even though the ending seemed somewhat rushed, the overall story was interesting and kept me reading until the very end.

Gaywyck: A Novel by Vincent Virga

WYCK
Gaywyck: A Novel by Vincent Virga
Publisher: Alyson Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (356 pgs)
Other: M/M
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Gaywyck, the first gay gothic romance, treads firmly in beloved territory, both honoring it and reinventing it. Classic in style, Vincent Virga creates a world as authentic as anything penned by DuMaurier, retaining the creaking ancestral mansion and mysterious and brooding master of the manor, while replacing the traditional damsel in distress with the young and handsome Robert Whyte.

When Robert Whyte’s mother goes mad, suffering from severe depression, he and his father are at a loss. Having spent his life as a sickly, reclusive individual, Robert finds himself needing work. Unwilling to follow the path that his father had envisioned for him, Robert instead goes in a different direction, one of which will change the entire direction of his life.

Robert Whyte arrives at Gaywyck an innocent, sheltered young man. He soon discovers that no matter how well-read you are, there are some things a book can never prepare you for. Love is one of them. Although a bit naïve, he’s curious and intelligent, and eager to make friends and live a life outside of his father’s home. By the end of the novel, he’s not even close to the man he was when it began, giving him more character growth than any character I’ve ever read.

Donough Gaylord, on the other hand, has seen more in his young life than most see by the end of theirs. At first, his penchant for keeping his distance from everyone but his closest companions seems simple. He’s lost loved ones and fears being hurt again, right? But the more you read, the more you find out just how disturbing and upsetting his childhood was. The further you delve into Donough’s past, the more twisted the story becomes. Where Robert is pure and innocent, Donough is blackened, which is probably why they work so well together in the end. They find a balance between the two extremes.

As much as I enjoy Gothic novels, I’ve not read many Gothic romances. Gaywyck has changed that and for the better. Gorgeously written, the storyline twists and turns and surprises you at the end of every hallway. Some things were obvious, at least to me, while others took me wholly by surprise. When everything comes together in the end, I stared rather wide-eyed at my Kindle, trying to take it all in. Sad and sweet and endearingly romantic, Gaywyck will forever stay with me.

Heinous by Debra Webb

HEINOUS
Heinous by Debra Webb
Publisher: Pink House Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (300 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

The body count is rising. The serial killer obsessed with Birmingham’s Deputy Chief Jess Harris is getting closer, and he knows Jess’s secret. Can she protect the child she carries and the people she loves from Eric Spears and his followers?

The body farm discovered in a small Alabama town has many buried secrets. Is the truth about Jess’s past buried there too? Will learning what really happened to her mother and father help Jess stop the killer determined to have her?

Serial killer Eric Spears is closing in on Jess Harris and her posse of detectives. Women are still missing and time is running out. But Jess’ life isn’t nearly that simple, she has more on her plate than just finding The Player before he kills again. Someone is trying to frame Chief of Police, Dan Burnett and the mystery surrounding the death of Jess’ parents is slowly coming together, a piece at a time. Deputy Chief Harris doesn’t know which way to turn and if she’s not careful, it could be her ultimate undoing.

With each and every installment in this series, Jess and Dan grow closer together. No matter what kind of atrocity is happening around them, their love and devotion to one another remains steadfast. Even with the accusations of Dan being a dirty cop don’t tarnish Jess’ love for him. I’m very happy to see that they aren’t constantly at odds with one another any longer, although in the beginning it was understandable. They’ve morphed into a real couple at this point, and although they still disagree, it isn’t with the headstrong, I’m-right-and-you’re-wrong attitude that colored many of their early confrontations.

The author supplies us with fascinating side characters as well, each with their own intriguing story. I’ve enjoyed learning about Jess’ sister, Chet and Lori, and all the rest. To further add to the suspense of the novel, there is one member of Jess’ team that I don’t quite trust. I’ll be interested to see if he’s on the up and up or not.

I have been in love with this series from the very first book, Obsession. Ms. Webb has an amazing knack for weaving an intense, intriguing backstory throughout a series while also giving secondary storylines that wrap up in one novel. This, in addition to the myriad characters, is what keeps me coming back time and time again to this series. It doesn’t hurt any that each novel ends in a cliffhanger either. I think I’ll be a little heartbroken when this ends.

Eden’s Present by Adam Carpenter

PRESENT
Eden’s Present by Adam Carpenter
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (172 pages)
Other: M/M, Multiple Partners, Anal Play, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Chad Singleton discovered a shocking truth at the conclusion of Eden’s Past, and now the revelation threatens to undo everything he’s achieved since he returned to his hometown of Eden. His job with rival relatives at Harte Industries, his relationship with his feisty grandmother, and most of all, his steamy, no-holds-barred love affair with the local chief of police, burly Brett Ellers.

But it’s the sexy stranger in Eden, William Kelton, who will most affect Chad, the two of them bound by intrigue, betrayal and a mutual attraction. As the mystery deepens surrounding his father’s death, Chad buries his wounded heart in Kelt’s welcoming arms. But the surprises have only just begun, the biggest of which will forever change his life.

In Eden, even the wealthy—especially the wealthy—have secrets.

As the mystery surrounding his father’s death only deepens, Chad finds himself without an anchor. Trying to focus on his work at Harte Industries, he throws himself into it and into a relationship with William Kelton, a stranger passing through town with a mission of his own. Will Chad be able to discover what happened to his dad? And will he ever be able to grasp his heart’s desire?

Chad is a little all over the place in this second installment in the Eden series, but with good cause. Everything he thought he knew is being thrown into chaos. More secrets are revealed and even more are hinted at, giving him much to speculate on. More of his true self shows and he continues to grow and become more of a real person than he was at the start of the first book.

William Kelton, better known as Kelt, takes front stage in this novel, edging the attractive police chief off to the side. Passing through town in an effort to find out how his ex-lover, Ken, died. I like Kelt, his dedication to his ex-lover, although they’d been apart for quite some time, is sweet. Also, I think there’s more to him than we know so far and I wonder if he’ll make an appearance in the next installment.

Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, Eden’s Present ends on one heck of a cliffhanger, stopping right after a major revelation. I was rather stunned by this revelation, thinking it would be one thing when it wound up being something else completely. Needless to say, I’m anxiously awaiting the next novel in this series! The author has a real talent for building suspense right up to the very last word. The Eden series only gets better and more tangled as we move forward. I wonder what the author has in store for us next? Hopefully some answers to the questions that have been brewing since book one!

Eden’s Past by Adam Carpenter

PAST
Eden’s Past by Adam Carpenter
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Short Story (128 pgs)
Other: M/M, Multiple Partners, Anal Play
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Chad Singleton, twenty-nine and model gorgeous, works as a high-priced escort for wealthy men. When he gets a call telling him his father has died, Chad is torn about returning to his small hometown of Eden, Pennsylvania. After all, it was his homophobic father who banished Chad years ago. When he returns, he is thrown into the mystery surrounding how his father died. Fortunately the sexy chief of police, Brett Ellers, has caught Chad’s eye.

As Chad and Brett submit to their heated attraction, forces from Eden’s underbelly threaten to undo their secret affair. In Eden, everyone has an agenda, their motives as dark as the night. Intrigue, murder, passionate love affairs, they all dominate the landscape in this picturesque world of horse farms and crumbling, once majestic estates.

In Eden, even the wealthy—especially the wealthy—play dirty.

Chad Singleton hasn’t been home to Eden in what seems like forever. However, when the news of his father’s death reaches him, he knows he has no choice but to return despite all that had come before. Reluctantly, he backs out of a trip to the Far East with one of his clients and heads home, only to discover there’s a lot more going on than anyone knew.

Chad is a very conflicted character. After having been banished from Eden by his homophobic father, he moved on to New York and found work as an escort. Although he enjoys the traveling – and the companionship – there’s something missing from his life. Something he doesn’t even realize is missing until he meets the sexy chief of police, Brett Ellers. Chad’s character really starts to come to life after his first interaction with Brett and I really enjoyed watching him evolve.

Brett Ellers, Eden’s chief of police, is in high demand. Lusted after by nearly every woman in town, he’s holding a secret very few know. In a town as small as Eden, knowing that he was gay might simply end his career, no questions asked, so he stays in the closet. While not an uncommon practice, it makes his relationship with Chad a bit more difficult in the beginning. Sadly, he also seems to be holding another secret back, on that very well might have to do with the death of Chad’s father, although we don’t know much about any of that by the end of this novella. Despite his fears and sometimes odd behavior, I really do like Brett. I think he and Chad are good for each other and can help one another deal with their pasts and make a life together.

Eden’s Past is an exciting, steamy story full of gorgeous men, sexy situations and enough intrigue to keep you turning the pages. Fair warning, however, the story ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, leaving you asking questions you can’t answer until the sequel. That in itself is enough to get me to pick up the next in the series, just so I can find out what happens next. I cannot wait until I know exactly what really happened to Silas Singleton!

Split Second by David Baldacci

SPLIT
Split Second by David Baldacci
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (512 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Michelle Maxwell has just blown her future with the Secret Service. Against her instincts, she led a presidential candidate out of her sight to comfort a grieving widow. Then, behind closed doors, the politician whose safety was her responsibility vanished into thin air.

Living a new life on a quiet lake in central Virginia, Sean King knows how the younger agent feels. He’s been there before. In an out-of-the-way hotel eight years earlier, the hard-charging Secret Service man allowed his attention to be diverted for a split second. And the presidential candidate Sean was protecting was gunned down before his eyes.

Now Michelle and Sean are about to see their destinies converge. She has become obsessed with Sean’s case. And he needs a friend—especially since a series of macabre killings has brought him under suspicion and prompted the reappearance of a seductive woman he’s tried hard to forget.

As the two discredited agents enter a maze of lies, secrets, and deadly coincidences, they uncover a violence that shattered their lives were really a long time in the making – and are a long way from over.

Michelle Maxwell has just made a decision that will change her life forever, ending her stint with the Secret Service. It’s set her on a new path she never expected. Sean King has been there and done that once already. As a former Secret Service agent himself, he’s screwed up and recovered, making a happy new life for himself. However, when King and Maxwell’s worlds collide, more than sparks are going to fly.

Sean King is a fascinating and aggravating man. He’s been where Michelle is now and is both sympathetic to her plight as well as slightly obnoxious at the same time. Despite his ability to completely rile her, I loved him from the moment I met him. He carries the arrogance gained while working for the Secret Service, a trait you no doubt need to keep important people safe, but tempers it with humor and seductiveness that not even calm, cool, and collected Michelle Maxwell can resist. Sean is also intelligent, resourceful, and loyal, three things Michelle needs now more than anything.

On the other hand, Michelle Maxwell is young and upcoming in the Service, right until the moment she makes a fatal mistake. By letting a presidential candidate out of her sight for mere moments, he’s kidnapped and her life comes to a standstill. To her credit, she doesn’t curl up in a ball and cry. Quite the opposite. With the help of Sean King and his years of experience, they come together and discover more than what happened to Michelle’s charge.

Split Second was an intense ride taking us through both Michelle’s current situation and running headlong into the incident many years past that caused Sean’s stint with the Service to come to an abrupt end. The way that the two stories come together in the end is both satisfying and exciting. If this first novel in the King & Maxwell series is any indication, the ones that follow are going to be one heck of a roller coaster of action and suspense. I am eagerly anticipating getting to know these two better in the future.

Unlucky 13 by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

13
Unlucky 13 by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (416 pgs)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

The Women’s Murder Club is stalked by a killer with nothing to lose.

San Francisco Detective Lindsay Boxer is loving her life as a new mother. With an attentive husband, a job she loves, plus best friends who can talk about anything from sex to murder, things couldn’t be better.

Then the FBI sends Lindsay a photo of a killer from her past, and her happy world is shattered. The picture captures a beautiful woman at a stoplight. But all Lindsay sees is the psychopath behind those seductive eyes: Mackie Morales, the most deranged and dangerous mind the Women’s Murder Club has ever encountered.

In this pulse-racing, emotionally charged novel by James Patterson, the Women’s Murder Club must find a killer–before she finds them first.

After all the chaos surrounding her daughter’s birth, and subsequent illness, things in the Boxer-Mollinari household are finally settling down. That’s what she’s hoping for anyway, until a killer from her past resurfaces – Mackie Morales. If that were the only issue Lindsay was dealing with, she might be okay, but with two of her best friends in scary, improbable situations, she finds herself being torn in seven different directions at once. Who will she help first and how will it all turn out?

Lindsay Boxer has been my favorite character from the beginning of this series. I’ve loved her drive, her determination, and her ability to keep moving forward when everything else around her is falling apart. To see her finally get her man (and not have him die on her) and find happiness has been a relief to me. As awesome as her dog, Martha, is, a girl needs something more sometimes. And Joe is that something.

As far as the rest of the Women’s Murder Club goes, I’ve also always adored Claire’s character. The motherly, always enthusiastic medical examiner is there whenever you need a bit of levity – or motherly advice – thrown into a situation. That said, it’s taken me awhile to get used to Yuki. Even now, she has her moments when she makes me a bit crazy, but what she goes through in this book makes her a little less needy and more tolerable. Cindy, on the other hand, continues to grate on my nerves. She’s reckless, she’s selfish, and she’s seemingly consumed with a desire to get her man back, after she threw him away to begin with. I keep hoping she’ll grow up and become an adult, but it hasn’t happened yet.

I’ve been a long-time reader of this series and anxiously await each new installment in the Women’s Murder Club series. I will admit, I was a bit wary when approaching this newest novel simply because the last couple haven’t really been up to caliber of the earlier ones. However, I was pleasantly surprised with Unlucky 13. James Patterson’s knack for creating intense, intricate storylines is back full force. Even though one of the three plot lines was a bit more exaggerated than I expected, I still think it worked out well and really kept the level of intensity high throughout. Unlucky 13 was an enjoyable, fast read that kept me on the edge of my seat – and rather unwilling to eat another fast food hamburger ever.

But Names Will Never Hurt Me: A Hilary Adams Mystery by Linda Y. Atkins

NAMES
But Names Will Never Hurt Me: A Hilary Adams Mystery by Linda Y. Atkins
Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (317 Pages)
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

Hilary Adams, a talented criminal defense attorney, receives a late night phone call from her friend, Judge Susan Emmett-Bradley, who has found her estranged husband, John Bradley dead—viciously murdered.

In defending the judge, Hilary finds herself catapulted into a tangled web of deceit, corruption and infidelity. John Bradley clearly wasn’t whom she thought he was, and the unknown side of him gets creepier by the minute. And what’s worse, Susan doesn’t seem herself either, and her secrets can make her defense very difficult. When Lieutenant Peter Elliot starts asking the hard questions, Hilary will have to do everything she can to stop him from sending the wrong person to trial.

I’m sure we’ve all gotten caught up in books we couldn’t put down. For me, But Names Will Never Hurt Me is such a book and my six fur friends were not happy that their dinner ended up late as a result.

The plot is complex and fast-moving. Just when I though I had things figured out, another twist would take me in a new direction. The clues were all present. The author plays fair with her readers. Nevertheless, I couldn’t figure it all out until the end.

Hilary Adams is a wonderful, strong, well-defined character and I liked her from the moment I met her, as she was awakened from a deep sleep in the middle of the night by a phone call from her friend Judge Susan Emmett-Bradley. Susan’s husband, John Bradley, has been viciously murdered and Susan has found him.

From the moment Hilary arrives on the scene, she discovers that things are not what they seem. It also doesn’t help that Lieutenant Peter Elliot is in charge of the investigation because Peter and Hilary were involved and then Hilary backed off from the relationship, feeling that it was too soon after the death of her husband. That added dynamic enriches the plot and causes both Hilary and Peter to react in ways that they might normally not have done.

Hilary is very smart and she is going to need every ounce of her intelligence and her detective skills to defend a client who is less than truthful, a friend who has been keeping some pretty major secrets from her. I really didn’t like Susan much and there are a number of other suspects who were equally unappealing personally, but they definitely ramped up the suspense and made Hilary’s job harder.

If you’re a mystery fan, looking for a riveting tale which can’t be put down, then this might just be what you’re looking for. But do feed any fur friends first.